PRORODEO Sports News - March 7, 2025

MANAGER’S MESSAGE

VISITING PRORODEO’S PAST AND REMEMBERING WHEN A STAR IS BORN BY TRACY RENCK

T he world of PRORODEO is full of facts and figures that are worth revisiting from time-to-time. Recently, the Tucson Rodeo, also known as La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, wrapped up its historic 100th year with a sold-out crowd and thrilling competitions on Feb. 23. More than 11,000 spectators filled the stands on the city’s south side to witness the final day of events, marking one of the largest turnouts in the rodeo’s history. With a deeper dive, there’s no question that La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros has had a storied history, past champions include a laundry list of ProRodeo Hall of Famers – names like Casey Tibbs, Trevor Brazile, Ty Murray, Donnie Gay, Billy Etbauer, Jake Barnes/Clay O’Brien Cooper, Joe Beaver, Dan Mortensen and Fred Whitfield Old-school ProRodeo Hall of Famers like Bill Linderman, Toots Mansfield, Troy Fort, Harry Tompkins, Dale Smith, Gary Leffew, Jack Roddy, Art Arnold, Joe Alexander, Shawn Davis, Ace Berry, Leo Camarillo, Bud Munroe, Brad Gjermundson, and Marvin Garrett also were champions at the Tucson Rodeo. And, how about Tucson champs, father Tuffy Cooper and son, Roy Cooper and grandson, Tuf Cooper and father/son Lewis Feild and Kaycee Field. This tradition-rich rodeo – La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros – has gone strong for 100 years and here’s to 100 more. Staying in the hot tub time machine, here are some other nuggets to digest. In March of 2019, the PRORODEO world was transforming before our eyes. Stetson Wright, who was 18 years old, was starting to make a name for himself. The Resistol Rookie, who is part of the legendary

Wright family, was turning heads because he was the only member of the famed Utah family competing in saddle bronc riding and bull riding. The Wright family has always been about saddle bronc riding – not bull riding. “I’ve done this for so long that it feels weird if I don’t ride in both,” Stetson said. Prior to Rodeo Austin that year, Wright wasn’t in the top 50 in saddle bronc riding. That changed after he won Rodeo Austin, and left town with $14,704. In Austin, Wright won the final round with 89-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Nutrena’s Tequilla Sheila for $9,935.

“It means a lot,” Wright said about the win.

That victory was a sign of things to come for Wright. He made the 2019 season one to remember. Wright became the first rookie in PRORODEO history to win an all-around world championship, finishing with $297,923. He also was the 2019 PRCA | Resistol Rookie of the Year in all-around, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. Fast-forward to 2025 and Stetson Wright – minus

2 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS